Snow UK: Important home precautions to take NOW before cold weather hits

SNOW IS soon expected to hit the UK, with the country preparing to be blanketed next week as the temperatures plummet bringing strong winds, rain and snow. But how can we prepare our homes for such chaos?

The latest weather reports have forecast snow will hit the UK as soon as next week, bringing chaos and disruption to Britain once again. The Met office has warned things will become more unsettled and changeable, meaning Britons must now prepare for the freezing temperatures. When it first falls, the prospect of snow is exciting for everyone but if you’re home isn’t prepared for such weather it can cause major disruption to your life. British Gas engineer Natalie Foster shared her expert advice with Express.co.uk, advising people of the important precautions they should take before the snow hits.

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Up to a quarter of your home’s heat may be escaping through the roof, so invest in good insulation

Natalie Foster, British Gas engineer

One of the most important steps is having your boiler serviced.

While this should ideally be done in the warmer weather to avoid any disruption, it’s better to have it checked before the peak of winter truly sets in.

Natalie also recommended checking your boiler’s pressure, saying ideally it should be between one and 1.5

Here are all of the British Gas engineer’s top tips in preparing your home for snow:

Invest in insulation

Natalie explained: “Up to a quarter of your home’s heat may be escaping through the roof, so invest in good insulation.

“You can also check doors and windows, make sure they’re draft free, keeping the heat in and the cold out.”

Check out your roof

“Cracked or lost tiles are essentially inviting winter into your home, so try and get up there and check out your roof,” Natalie added.

It's vital you check your boiler is working properly before the cold weather fully sets in (Image: GETTY)

“Heavy snow can crack it, or even lead to it caving in. And while you’re up there, give your gutters a good clear out before winter sets in.

“Snow in cluttered gutters can lead to all sorts of leaks and breakages.”

Protect pipes

To prevent your pipes from freezing, the engineer suggests wrapping them in insulated tubing.

She continued: “And fix any leaky taps – even a trickle can be trouble in the cold weather.”

Check smoke alarms

“With increased use of heaters at this time of year, comes increased risk of house fires,” Natalie warned. “So check your smoke alarm.

“Also, keep an eye on your exterior ventilation outlets, they need to be clear of snow and ice.”

Trim overhanging branches

It’s just as important to think about the areas outside of your home, including the trees in the garden and the footpath leading to your house.

The British Gas engineer advised people trim any overhanging branches, adding: “Branches can easily gather up substantial amount of snow and ice in no time, which could prove hazardous to people walking beneath them.”